Folding straight-edge.



E. cmsPlN. FOLDING STRAIGHT EDGE.`

APPLICATION4 FILED MAY 3.1916.

- Famed De@ 11, 11917.

'l l .d F.

EDVTARD CRISPIN', OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING STRAIGHT-EDGE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I,"En\vAnuCRrsrrN, a citizen of the United `States,residing at the city of New York, in the county of Bronx and State ofNew York, have invented a certain new and useful lmplement Consisting ofa Folding Straight-Edge, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a folding straight edge to be used bypaperhangers, painters, decorators, floor covering layers, brickpencilers and many others in executing their trade.

A prominent object of my invention is to provide such straight edge inany length, of which both sides can be used and can be folded andconveniently Carried without being objectionable, whereby I attain somemarked advantage as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of a straight edge embodying my invention,showing the same folded;

Fig. 2,' a rear view of'part of the same, showing the hinge;

Fig. 3, a perspective view of a modification of the hinge;

Fig. l, a front view partly in section of the sliding rod, and

Fig. 5, a detail of the lock.

The folding straight edge, about three inches wide, is made of one orseveral kinds of wood, in narrow strips 11 and glued together to preventthe warping of same.

In the middle of one side of the straight edge is a groove about onethird of the width of the straight edge and about three siX- teenths ofan inch deep, with undercut edges, narrower on top and wider on bottom,as shown at part 1 in Fig. 1.

The groove in one member of the straight edge is closed for about aninch as shown at 2, while the alined .groove in the other member isclosed for about one quarter of the whole length of the straight edge asshown at 3.

An inch and foot measure is marked on the edges of the straight edge.

Both edges of the straight edge are brass bound, the brass projecting alittle on one side of the straight edge for the purpose to hold flexiblematerial better.

rl`he two halves or parts of the straight edge are connected with ahinge on the other, or smooth side of the straight edge, Fig. 2,

Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee. 11, 1917..

the width of same to be the same as the width of` the wood of thestraight edge and are sunken and even with the wood.

The hinge is made of spring or hard steel, the straps ofthe hinge beingiexible and bentY inwardly at their adjoining ends, so that the knuckleis countersunk as indi catedat 1 Fig. 2.

llnstead of one broad hinge, I may use two small hinges or twistedhinges, as shown at 12 in Fig. 3, with elastic centers, each one closeto the edge of the straight edge. The corners across the straight edgeare rounded off.

By folding the straight edge, the middle part of the hinge with theknuckle will bend correct to the center of the joint of the two parts ofthe straight edge.

nto the groove is fitted a slidable rod 13 having beveled edges 5, saidrod being flush with the surface of the straight edge.

The length of this sliding rod is half the length of the straight edge,less the short, closed space on the end of the groove, and when thestraight edge is folded, the rod will not project beyond the wooden partin the middle.

Near each end of the rod is formed a hole 6, while the ends of thestraight edge are undercut as at 7. `When the rod is pulled to the endof the groove, the hole will Y fit over and snap on a spring button, 8,

which is fastened near the end of the bottom of the groove, said buttonhaving been first depressed by the beveled end 7 of the rod. The holesin the rods are also used for pulling the rod by means of a nger to thedesired position.

When the straight edge is opened the sliding rod is pulled over themiddle of the straight edge to the end of the groove, where the hole inthe rod will lit and snap on another spring button, Fig. 1, 9, fastenednear the end of the bottom of the groove and will hold the rod in theright position, the middle of the rod corresponding with the middle ofthe straight edge.

The straight edge will now be steady and firm, and perfectly straight,will not shake or bend sidewise. It will take no loss of time, to foldor to unfold it and no tools are needed to do this.

By pressing the spring button and pulling the sliding rod back to theother end of the groove, the hole in the sliding rod will snap ou thespring button Fig. 1, 8,- which will hold the sliding rod and thestraight edge may be folded and locked.

On the ends of the straight edgeis a contrivance Fig. 5 to lock and holdboth ends together when the straight edge is folded, said contrivztncecomprising a catch l0 and a cooperating keeper 14.

Vhat I claim as my invention is:

l. A straight edge comprising a; pair of hingedly connected membershaving alined grooves, e pair of spring buttons projecting into saidgrooves, and a rod slidable VWithin said grooves, said rod beingprovided with beveled ends and With a pair of aperoliizswofithis patentmsj be obtained for tures in proximity to said ends which are adapted tobe engaged by the spring buttons.

2. A straight edge comprising :t pair of members, having alined grooves:it one of their faces, :t rod slidably engaging seid grooves, and ahinge connecting said members et their other faces, said hinge beingprovided with inwardly bent iexible straps and With a countersunkknuckle.

EDWARD CRISPIN.

Witnesses JULIA M. FETZER, AGNES PEcoUD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. 0.

